what is the best way to learn the ruy lopez?

Study annotated grandmaster games with it.

Yes, It's named "Ruy Lopez: Masterclass Edition" And features over 70 variations. It covers the main lines and even the old steinitz (Yes the one nelson tries to give you for no reason)

Study it.

You will learn it like you will learn everyting else in your life: step by step. And not by hearth but by understanding.

So begin by understanding the first basic moves: White play 1.e4 to gain space in the centre (d5) and development (Bishop at f1 can now move). Every opening is about the centre and piece development. Black answer with 1...e5 with similar ideas.

But the pawn at e5 is not protected. So White plays 2.Nf3, hitting space in the centre (d4 and e5), developing the Knight and threatening to take the pawn at e5. Black plays 2...Nc6, hitting the same space in the centre (d4 and e5), developing the Knight and defending the pawn at e5.

White play 3.Bb5 developing the Bishop and threatening to take on c6 removing the protector of e5 and maybe take on e5.

That is all you need for a beginning. Now play som games. Analyse them - especially your losses. What do the people you meet play as Black in their third move? What would you play yourself? Then you have your first critical variations. Next thep: what do you as White like play in these variations. Take notes!

You may rely on books and lessons, but you don't need them. Just use your own understanding of the game. And for all sake: don't rely on engine evaluations. They are not relevant at your level, and they will hinder your learning and development.

And then back to playing and analysing. And finding new critical variations. Etc. It is fun!

I don't think that will help.

You are telling him to develop his own ruy lopez...

Instead of studying it...

That is the way to learn. By making your own learning experiences. Much better that to memorize a lot of moves and by the end of the line being lost.

Later on he/she can build on this understanding by studying master games and a book.

I personally like the 6.d3 lines (or at least I did as a beginner) because it avoided main lines and was more ideas based. That being said, it's good to learn some typical plans in the position (Ng1-d2-f1-g3/e3-f5, c3-d4 push, a4, knowing why and when to play h3, and understanding the best setup of pieces according to the position) and then if you still have problems it's good to study some concrete theory. Nils Grandelius has a good d3 ruy lopez course, although it can get pretty sharp. Ultimately just play it by ear and eventually experience will serve you well. Happy playing!

And the best way to learn mathematics and physics is not to red math and physics books! Make your own learning experience. Jump off higher and higher buildings until you really understand gravity!

Don't know the best way to do anything. But I can say what I did to give you ideas to pick from. I learned the Ruy mostly from playing it a lot and 2 places:

1. LOTS of time analyzing games in Fischer's 60 Memorable Games

2. Barden's thin (and old) book on the Ruy. It's clearly written -did I mention that it's thin?

Aside from those, I played thru every Ruy game in '200 open games'' and every GM annotated game I came across. I also played the Schliemann defense as black for a couple of years based on Florian's thin pamphlet.

Bill

The best way to learn the ruy Lopez is to not learn it at all